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BIIF girls basketball: Rising to the occasion

BIIF girls basketball: Rising to the occasion

Kona's Mercedes Victor goes up high for a shot at Hilo Civic on Saturday. Photo: Tim Wright

Chanelle Molina had four assists, none bigger than her last to set up Jasmine Perea for a layup and ensuing free throw, and Konawaena beat Hilo 48-45 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls basketball game Saturday night.

Before Perea’s three-point play, both teams traded turnovers in a wild final 59 seconds, after Hilo’s Aliyah Pana scored to tie it at 45-45. On the following possession, the Wildcats turned the ball over. The Vikings raced down the court and followed with a turnover when Pana passed to a teammate who slipped.

Molina picked up the loose ball, dribbled down the court and was double-teamed near the free-throw line. She passed to a wide-open and running Perea, who scored with her left hand, drew a foul and sank the free throw with 5.1 seconds left.

Hilo inbounded the ball, Konawaena swarmed, and the Vikings managed a timeout with 3.2 seconds on the clock. They got the ball in, dribbled through a maze of defenders and fired a three-quarter court shot that was nowhere near the basket, ending the first meeting between the two since last season’s BIIF championship.

Molina scored 17 points and Jasmine Perea added 14 to lead the Wildcats (5-0), who won their fifth consecutive BIIF title with a 54-30 win over Hilo last year.

Shalyn Guthier scored 11 points to lead the Vikings (3-1).

The victory continued Konawaena’s unbeaten streak in league play. Over the past six seasons, including this year, the Wildcats are 59-0. They’re also in the driver’s seat for the BIIF regular-season title, which includes the league’s first berth to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I state tournament.

The Wildcats have reached states 10 straight years, finishing second last season while the Vikings, who returned all their starters, placed third.

University of Hawaii Wahine coach Laura Beeman was at the game, scouting Molina, who has been offered a UH scholarship, and Hilo sophomore Alexis Pana, a 5-foot-9 point guard, who finished with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Konawaena managed to win despite 23 turnovers, including seven in the fourth quarter. Hilo handled the ball with better security, and had just eight turnovers, including only two in the final period — but its last and most untimely turnover led to Konawaena’s go-ahead score.

Honokaa 65, Ka‘u 32

Chancis Fernandez poured in 23 points in Pahala and Honokaa got off to a blazing start to stay unbeaten.

Eliyah Fernandez chipped in with 14 points for the Dragons (4-0) — who led 29-6 after the first quarter — and Hunter Liftee had 12.

Denisha Navarro led the Trojans (0-5) with nine points and Bridget Pasion had eight.

Honokaa won the JV game 44-6.

Kohala 50, HPA 38

Sophomore Naai Solomon-Lewis led the way for the Cowgirls (4-0) with 16 points. Solomon-Lewis also added four rebounds and two assists.

Senior guard Tiana Bertelmann-Tabac was the leading scorer for Ka Makani (2-3) with 11.

Waiakea 67, Kealakehe 18

Kryssie Okinaka scored 14 points and Shaila Apele posted 11 as the Warriors (2-3) cruised to victory on their home floor.